Last checked at 
(Alliance News) - Agriculture-focused biological products maker Plant Health Care PLC on Wednesday said it has submitted an application for Brazilian approval for its PHC279 peptide asset.
Plant Health said a review of the product, which is designed to fight Asian soybean rust, will begin shortly with a federal regulatory licence expected in the next one or two years, the company added.
Asian soybean rust is a fungal disease that reduces soybean yields.
In August, Plant Health said that following application of the peptide treatment, which comes from natural proteins and encourages the plant to defend itself, a 16% increase in soybean yield was reported, controlling the effects of the fungal disease even in areas facing "heavy disease pressure".
The company said on Wednesday: "Plant Health Care's submission for registration of PHC279 for the control of ASR has been accepted by the three responsible Brazilian agencies: the Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock & Food Supply, the National Health Surveillance Agency, and the Brazilian Institute of the Environment & Renewable Natural Resources. The Brazilian authorities do not commit to a specific timeline for granting regulatory licences. However, the company expects the review to start soon and given PHC279's environmentally friendly profile and unique mode of action compared with conventional agrochemical products, anticipates a regulatory licence will be granted in 1-2 years.
"The company expects to be in a position to launch the product soon after regulatory licences have been obtained. Low cost production methods are progressing to scale-up and will be in place before launch."
Shares in the company were 1.9% lower at 7.80 pence each in London on Wednesday morning.
By Eric Cunha; ericcunha@alliancenews.com
Copyright 2020 Alliance News Limited. All Rights Reserved.
